The current agitation and shakeup in the film industry in Kerala in the wake of the Hema Committee Report is a striking example for the whole of India. Several women artists in different centres like Kolkata and Tamil Nadu have raised questions as to why such committees like the Hema Committee have not been set up in other states. This is a legitimate question. The exploitation of women in the film industry, starting with Bombay, is an open secret. But such are the power structures within the industry that women’s voices get silenced. Kerala is the only state where women in the industry formed a Women’s Cinema Collective. It was in the tragic context spurred by the horrendous abduction and rape of one of their colleagues by a powerful actor, that the Collective was formed. It would have remained at that level had it not been for the Left democratic government in Kerala headed by Pinarayi Vijayan. When members of the collective raised important issues concerning the status of women in the industry, the Chief Minister responded with the formation of the Hema Committee, with specific terms of reference which covered the wider aspects of women’s status.
It is the experience of women’s organisations and movements in India that any progressive change and shakeup in the patriarchal status quo is always initiated by women themselves. At all important junctures where aspects of women’s exploitation hitherto invisible have been visibilised, it has been because it is women who have raised their voices. The movement gets a big boost if there is a government which is sympathetic to women and hears their voices. The alliance of women’s movements with political forces genuinely committed to the fight against patriarchal male dominance is what can ensure change. It is an undeniable fact that the Left forces have been the staunchest ally of the fight of women for social change. The setting up of the Hema Committee, followed by the SIT, and the present agitation are a reflection of this commitment of the Left to defend, protect and take forward women’s fight against exploitation.
The Hema Committee has shone the light on what it has termed rampant sexual exploitation prevalent along with power structures and lobbies in the industry. In addition, it has shown the utterly exploitative nature and injustice to women artists, and those in other professions in the industry who work without contracts, in the most unsafe and unfair work conditions, with often no access to even a restroom. The Committee has also flagged the existence of many so-called associations and unions supposedly representing the different categories employed, many of which have no registration and themselves exploit those they are supposed to represent. The Hema Committee has recommended that all such bodies should be registered and accountable to rules and regulations including their accounts. The most well-known, perhaps for the entirely wrong reasons, is what was the powerful AMMA which was selective as to who were to be its members. Such is the extent of outrage against their functioning triggered by the Hema Committee Report that the entire committee of office bearers has had to resign.
The LDF government has taken another unprecedented step by setting up an SIT to enable women affected by sexual harassment in the industry to lodge their complaints regardless of the time that may have elapsed. More women, the first being an actor from Bengal, have filed complaints with the SIT and have also spoken out in public. We know that it would take a lot of courage for a woman to come out with graphic details of what she went through. Not only that, many of the men named have filed counter complaints against the women. This is the usual ploy of sexual predators and men who have not the slightest concern of reforming themselves and their behaviour. Counter complaints in such cases have no legal, moral or ethical value. It would have been better if such men had not tried to defend themselves. The acts of these sexual predators differ in degree from rape, to physical assault, to verbal sexual abuse. Taken together they represent the ugly face of male sexual entitlement. The LDF government has clearly stated that it is on the side of those fighting for justice. The SIT has a strong mandate. Some women complainants have complained of messages threatening them. The SIT will no doubt take the necessary action to protect them and take action against those making the threats.
However, as women, we know the inadequacy of the laws governing sexual harassment. We have heard time and again in cases of verbal sexual abuse which are sickening in their content — ”oh why make such a fuss – after all he did not touch her.” This is a typical patriarchal response which ignores the terrible humiliation, trauma and suffering a woman victim of sexual abuse goes through. We should not be afraid to speak out. Unless we speak out, society will not change. Women have also realised that naming and shaming of those responsible for sexual misconduct is part of the movement for justice.
Unfortunately, despite the reality of the strong and committed efforts of the Kerala government to overcome all the litigant issues which faced the publication of the report, the Congress party in Kerala has only a one-point agenda which is to somehow hamper the efforts of the LDF government to break new ground in support for the fight for justice of the women in the film industry. The Congress is a party which at present is sheltering two Congress chargesheeted rape accused MLAs as members of the Assembly. They are supported by a section of the deeply anti-communist media.
The SIT has filed cases, including of rape where such a charge has been made. A case has also been filed against CPI(M) MLA Mukesh. This shows the petty politics behind the Congress bogus accusations that the LDF government is protecting the accused.
But, we should not get into a diversionary — what is called in Hindi, a “tu-tu-main-main” (you did this and I did that) sort of useless argument. The focus is and must be to provide a safe environment for women everywhere — and in the context of the Hema Committee Report — in the film industry. Women must have the confidence that the government and society are with them in their brave fight for justice. In addition to the protection of personal space and bodily integrity, this also means equal rights within the industry. This will require the participation of all stakeholders.
It is a historic moment for Kerala. Once again, it is creating a milestone in the fight for justice. Congratulations to the women who made this possible. Congratulations to the LDF government in Kerala who heard their voices and acted. More strength to them.